A Scot to the Heart (Desperately Seeking Duke #2) - Caroline Linden Page 0,119

And yet Andrew stood loyally by my side, defying every precept that would have sent him back to Edinburgh and to you. Only the deepest affection could have caused him to do that.”

“That is true.” He brought her hand to his lips. “And I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

The duchess looked from one to the other. “Thieves! You shock me, Captain.”

“I cannot regret what I did for love,” he told her.

She gave an impatient sigh. “I had such high hopes for you . . .”

“And he has not disappointed you.” Ilsa sat forward. “Would you wish your son’s heir to be a man led only by others, cowed by the opinions of gossips? No, I am sure that you would want a man of firm convictions and morals to step into the ducal title. How else can you be certain he will uphold the dignity and reputation of your family against any slings and arrows that may come? Whatever my failings, you must credit that the captain has acted in a manner that could not be faulted.”

The duchess all but gaped at her. Drew sat in tense silence, waiting . . .

“I see it is the most severe case,” said Her Grace at last. “A besotted love match.”

Ilsa beamed. “Yes, Your Grace.”

“I could not meet the demands of the title without the support of the woman I love.” Drew nodded at Ilsa in solidarity. “Nor am I willing to attempt it.”

After a moment the duchess sighed. “I see I have no say in the matter.”

“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” But Drew bowed his head. “We would welcome your blessing, though.”

For a moment she looked between the two of them. “I have a little experience of this now, you know. Maximilian was here a month ago, also with a wife in hand, and I gave him my blessing.”

Drew looked up in surprise. “Maximilian?”

“Your cousin,” said the duchess with a touch of droll humor. “You remember him. The one who laughed and mocked me the entire time he was here.”

“Yes,” he murmured hastily. He’d not thought much of his cousin since that brief meeting. “I hope he is well.”

“As well as you appear to be,” said the duchess, amused by his surprise. “Happily married and respectably employed. I was pleasantly astounded.”

“That is very happy news,” said Drew after a startled pause.

“Well. I wish you both happy. If that is all . . .” She started to rise, but Drew took a deep breath and raised one hand.

“There is one more thing, Your Grace.”

She raised her brows in surprise.

“I have a request,” he began. “One which will, I believe, be to the benefit of Carlyle as well as to me. I beg the grace and favor of Stormont Palace.”

“Well!” She sat back in her chair. “You astonish me, Captain. That is not what we agreed.”

“The Stormont estate is well-kept and prosperous,” he forged on. “It’s kept in readiness only for the convenience of the solicitor, but it is a very fine home. My family spent several days there, evaluating it, and all fell under its spell. My bride and I would like to spend several months of the year there, with the remainder here.”

That was the compromise he and Ilsa had reached. Nine months at Stormont in Scotland, three months at Carlyle in England. It suited them both, and he did not see how the duchess could disagree. He was sure she had no more wish to have him under her feet than he had to be here.

At least, he hoped that was so.

“But you have so much to learn,” she protested.

“And I will devote myself diligently to it,” he replied. “Running Stormont will be invaluable experience, on a more modest scale than Carlyle. It is a jewel, more valuable than Mr. Edwards believes. I submit that the duke should not sell it. Allow me to run it for a few years before any decision is reached.

“And if Stormont Palace can be maintained in excellent condition from Carlyle, surely I can learn what I need to know by directing the Stormont estate. Mr. Edwards will be able to instruct me on the particulars of the castle, and I will be here for three months of the year. In addition,” he added, sensing an objection rising to her lips, “my sisters desire a Season in London. I will have opportunity to make connections and establish myself in town during the course of launching two sisters into society.